SERIES HISTORY: Stanford leads 36-25-1 and has won four in a row. The last meeting at Stanford Stadium, in 2010, was closer than expected, a 38-28 Cardinal victory.

STORYLINES: After four tense weeks, how much enthusiasm will Stanford bring to the game as a 24﻿1/2-point favorite? If the Cardinal plays lethargically, will it even matter? WSU is not equipped to handle Stanford’s running game or physical play on the lines of scrimmage. … Stanford’s defense, which allows just 18.9 points per game, will face a pass-happy Cougars attack that has one of the league’s best receivers (Marquess Wilson) but doesn’t give much thought to running the ball. … The No. 19 Cardinal must win to keep pace with the Oregon schools in the competitive Pac-12 North.

MATCHUP TO WATCH: Stanford’s pass rush against WSU’s offensive line. Led by OLBs Chase Thomas and Trent Murphy, Stanford is third in the country in tackles for loss and is tied for eighth in sacks. The Cougars have a porous offensive line (3.4 sacks allowed per game) and a freshman at the vital left tackle position. If it cannot protect quarterbacks Jeff Tuel and Connor Halliday, WSU’s chance of winning goes from slim to none.

STATS THAT MATTER: Stanford is third in the Pac-12 in turnover margin (plus-1.0 per game) while WSU is 11th (minus-0.71). … WSU is last in the league in third-down defense: opponents convert at a 48.7 percent clip. … The Cougars throw the ball frequently but not effectively: They’re 10th in the conference in efficiency (14 TDs, 14 INTs). … Stanford hasn’t lost at home to anyone but Oregon since the end of the 2009 season (Cal).

A transit village with apartments, retailers, restaurants and a hotel is rising in Milpitas next to The Great Mall, close to light rail and the under-construction BART station. It’s one of several Silicon Valley projects sprouting up near transit.